1979 FC-35
|
05-31-2008, 15:13
Post: #1
|
|||
|
|||
1979 FC-35
Hello!
Hello! Am I glad I was referred to you.... Until two days ago, I wouldn't have given a Bird a second look and now that's all I want (I blame the cockpit). Being in Canada and not wanting to go through the hassle of importing from the US, I expected to search for my Bird for a long time. Then, I found a 1979 Wanderlodge located in Windsor, Ontario. The owner sent me the following specs: 1979 Blue Bird FC-35 Wanderlodge motorhome with 210 hp Cat 3208 diesel, 4-speed Allison automatic transmission, King cruise control, Telma electromagnetic drive-line retarder, 12.5 kw diesel generator. EXTERIOR: brown over cream base, 20 ft. Zip Dee curb-side awning, street-side window awnings for living room and bedroom, 2 docking lights per side. INTERIOR: dark wood-grain laminate cabinetry, cream quilted vinyl ceiling and walls, light oak laminate flooring, all furniture re-upholstered, new curtains and mini-blinds. LIVING ROOM: twin fabric sleeper sofas, overhead storage cabinets, storage cabinets adjacent to sofas, half high closet/pantry/TV stand with hook-ups for antenna and cable TV. BATHROOM: private side bath with cultured marble sink/vanity top, Thetford Aqua-Magic toilet, fibreglas shower stall, linoleum floor. KITCHEN: laminate countertop and stove cover, stainless steel double sink with separate drinking water spigot, food center, Dometic 2-door 110V/propane automatic refrigerator with wood-grain door panels, 110V ice maker, 4 burner propane cook-top and oven, microwave oven, half-height slide-out can pantry, cushioned dinette booth. BEDROOM: rear side bed (street-side), vanity, stool, and drawers (curb side), carpeting, overhead storage cabinets (sides & rear), under-bed storage drawer, TV connection, accordion privacy door, 2 full-length closets, 1 half-length closet. GENERAL: this coach has most Blue Bird options â 3 roof A/C's, 3 propane furnaces, 110V electric heater in bathroom, power vents in bath and kitchen, indirect lighting and miniature spots throughout, 3 station intercom system, central vacuum (new motor), double-cartridge water purifier under kitchen sink, HWH leveling jacks, roof storage pod, spot light, air horns, new batteries, new front tires, spare tire, plus 3 vinyl wheel covers and an entire coach cover. Does this sound like a Bird that would be worth driving 18 hours (round trip) to see? What questions could I ask the current owner prior to committing to a viewing? While I'm handy and a quick learner, I have no experience whatsoever with mechanics. I'd hate to buy a perfectly good Bird and then ruin it. Also, I'd be living in this bus full-time for a year and then possibly selling it. Does this sound like a Bird that is likely to cost me an arm and a leg in repairs during that time? He sent some pictures, but they don't really tell me that much, other than to confirm that the '70's was seriously lacking in decorating taste. :-D He's asking 29,500$. NADA puts the high-end value at 10,000$. Which is closer to reality? Anyone know someone in the Windsor area (including Detroit, Michigan) whom I could reasonably trust to perform a mechanical inspection on this Bird? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Cheers, Rae |
|||
06-01-2008, 01:37
Post: #2
|
|||
|
|||
1979 FC-35
Rae,
If you plan to do any driving through mountains, you would probably prefer the 3208 Turbo with 250hp for going up hills. I would suggest going to Vintage Birds, Bird Connection, Trader online and any other site that would have multiple interior pictures to get a better feel for the layout and features of coach before such a drive. If you do make the drive, I would suggest you look carefully for rust outside (and under the coach) water leaks inside around windows and the ceiling (sniff for a moldy or musty smell around the upper corners of the ceiling, below the windows, near the booth dinette and in the bedroom)and have an oil analysis done. If you're pretty handy with electrical, plumbing,hvacand general mechanics, it could be just right for you. As for price, there's no real guidance for a coach that age other than condition. Good luck. BradBarton00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...
Make every e-mail and IM count. Join the iâm Initiative from Microsoft. |
|||
06-01-2008, 01:55
Post: #3
|
|||
|
|||
1979 FC-35
There is an abundance of inventory on the market. The advantage of
FCs over the PTs are cheaper up front investment and some what simpler systems access. In this economic environment I don't recommend anything less than an 87 or newer Wanderlodge. The older stuff is reserved for those who are uninformed or able to do ALL thier own work. The book price is about right for the 79 you are looking at. MH --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, brad barton <bbartonwx@...> wrote: > > Rae, > If you plan to do any driving through mountains, you would probably prefer the 3208 Turbo with 250hp for going up hills. I would suggest going to Vintage Birds, Bird Connection, Trader online and any other site that would have multiple interior pictures to get a better feel for the layout and features of coach before such a drive. If you do make the drive, I would suggest you look carefully for rust outside (and under the coach) water leaks inside around windows and the ceiling (sniff for a moldy or musty smell around the upper corners of the ceiling, below the windows, near the booth dinette and in the bedroom) and have an oil analysis done. If you're pretty handy with electrical, plumbing, hvac and general mechanics, it could be just right for you. As for price, there's no real guidance for a coach that age other than condition. > Good luck. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@... > > > To: WanderlodgeForum@...: raven.polaris@...: Sun, 1 Jun 2008 03:13:35 +0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 1979 FC-35 > > > > > Hello!Hello!Am I glad I was referred to you.... Until two days ago, I wouldn'thave given a Bird a second look and now that's all I want (I blame thecockpit). Being in Canada and not wanting to go through the hassle ofimporting from the US, I expected to search for my Bird for a longtime. Then, I found a 1979 Wanderlodge located in Windsor, Ontario.The owner sent me the following specs:1979 Blue Bird FC-35 Wanderlodge motorhome with 210 hp Cat 3208diesel, 4-speed Allison automatic transmission, King cruise control,Telma electromagnetic drive-line retarder, 12.5 kw diesel generator.EXTERIOR: brown over cream base, 20 ft. Zip Dee curb-side awning,street-side window awnings for living room and bedroom, 2 dockinglights per side. INTERIOR: dark wood-grain laminate cabinetry, creamquilted vinyl ceiling and walls, light oak laminate flooring, allfurniture re- upholstered, new curtains and mini-blinds. LIVING ROOM:twin fabric sleeper sofas, overhead storage cabinets, storage cabinetsadjacent to sofas, half high closet/pantry/TV stand with hook-ups forantenna and cable TV. BATHROOM: private side bath with cultured marblesink/vanity top, Thetford Aqua-Magic toilet, fibreglas shower stall,linoleum floor. KITCHEN: laminate countertop and stove cover,stainless steel double sink with separate drinking water spigot, foodcenter, Dometic 2-door 110V/propane automatic refrigerator withwood-grain door panels, 110V ice maker, 4 burner propane cook-top andoven, microwave oven, half-height slide-out can pantry, cushioneddinette booth. BEDROOM: rear side bed (street-side), vanity, stool,and drawers (curb side), carpeting, overhead storage cabinets (sides &rear), under-bed storage drawer, TV connection, accordion privacydoor, 2 full-length closets, 1 half-length closet. GENERAL: this coachhas most Blue Bird options â 3 roof A/C's, 3 propane furnaces, 110Velectric heater in bathroom, power vents in bath and kitchen, indirectlighting and miniature spots throughout, 3 station intercom system,central vacuum (new motor), double-cartridge water purifier underkitchen sink, HWH leveling jacks, roof storage pod, spot light, airhorns, new batteries, new front tires, spare tire, plus 3 vinyl wheelcovers and an entire coach cover.Does this sound like a Bird that would be worth driving 18 hours(round trip) to see? What questions could I ask the current ownerprior to committing to a viewing? While I'm handy and a quick learner,I have no experience whatsoever with mechanics. I'd hate to buy aperfectly good Bird and then ruin it. Also, I'd be living in this busfull-time for a year and then possibly selling it. Does this soundlike a Bird that is likely to cost me an arm and a leg in repairsduring that time?He sent some pictures, but they don't really tell me that much, otherthan to confirm that the '70's was seriously lacking in decoratingtaste. :-D He's asking 29,500$. NADA puts the high-end value at 10,000$. Which iscloser to reality?Anyone know someone in the Windsor area (including Detroit, Michigan)whom I could reasonably trust to perform a mechanical inspection onthis Bird? Any help would be greatly appreciated!Cheers,Rae > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Make every e-mail and IM count. Join the i'm Initiative from Microsoft. > http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Join/Def...ce=EML_WL_ MakeCount > |
|||
06-01-2008, 02:03
Post: #4
|
|||
|
|||
1979 FC-35
I believe there are plenty of pre-'87 owners here who do not consider
themselves "uninformed". . Rae-the old coaches can be great. I had an 82 FC before my current coach and really enjoyed it. Scott Forman 86 PT38 Memphis --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "michaelhohnstein" <MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote: > > There is an abundance of inventory on the market. The advantage of > FCs over the PTs are cheaper up front investment and some what > simpler systems access. > In this economic environment I don't recommend anything less than an > 87 or newer Wanderlodge. The older stuff is reserved for those who > are uninformed or able to do ALL thier own work. > The book price is about right for the 79 you are looking at. > MH > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, brad barton <bbartonwx@> > wrote: > > > > Rae, > > If you plan to do any driving through mountains, you would probably > prefer the 3208 Turbo with 250hp for going up hills. I would suggest > going to Vintage Birds, Bird Connection, Trader online and any other > site that would have multiple interior pictures to get a better feel > for the layout and features of coach before such a drive. If you do > make the drive, I would suggest you look carefully for rust outside > (and under the coach) water leaks inside around windows and the > ceiling (sniff for a moldy or musty smell around the upper corners of > the ceiling, below the windows, near the booth dinette and in the > bedroom) and have an oil analysis done. If you're pretty handy with > electrical, plumbing, hvac and general mechanics, it could be just > right for you. As for price, there's no real guidance for a coach > that age other than condition. > > Good luck. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@ > > > > > > To: WanderlodgeForum@: raven.polaris@: Sun, 1 Jun 2008 > 03:13:35 +0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 1979 FC-35 > > > > > > > > > > Hello!Hello!Am I glad I was referred to you.... Until two days ago, > I wouldn'thave given a Bird a second look and now that's all I want > (I blame thecockpit). Being in Canada and not wanting to go through > the hassle ofimporting from the US, I expected to search for my Bird > for a longtime. Then, I found a 1979 Wanderlodge located in Windsor, > Ontario.The owner sent me the following specs:1979 Blue Bird FC-35 > Wanderlodge motorhome with 210 hp Cat 3208diesel, 4-speed Allison > automatic transmission, King cruise control,Telma electromagnetic > drive-line retarder, 12.5 kw diesel generator.EXTERIOR: brown over > cream base, 20 ft. Zip Dee curb-side awning,street-side window > awnings for living room and bedroom, 2 dockinglights per side. > INTERIOR: dark wood-grain laminate cabinetry, creamquilted vinyl > ceiling and walls, light oak laminate flooring, allfurniture re- > upholstered, new curtains and mini-blinds. LIVING ROOM:twin fabric > sleeper sofas, overhead storage cabinets, storage cabinetsadjacent to > sofas, half high closet/pantry/TV stand with hook-ups forantenna and > cable TV. BATHROOM: private side bath with cultured marblesink/vanity > top, Thetford Aqua-Magic toilet, fibreglas shower stall,linoleum > floor. KITCHEN: laminate countertop and stove cover,stainless steel > double sink with separate drinking water spigot, foodcenter, Dometic > 2-door 110V/propane automatic refrigerator withwood-grain door > panels, 110V ice maker, 4 burner propane cook-top andoven, microwave > oven, half-height slide-out can pantry, cushioneddinette booth. > BEDROOM: rear side bed (street-side), vanity, stool,and drawers (curb > side), carpeting, overhead storage cabinets (sides &rear), under- bed > storage drawer, TV connection, accordion privacydoor, 2 full-length > closets, 1 half-length closet. GENERAL: this coachhas most Blue Bird > options â 3 roof A/C's, 3 propane furnaces, 110Velectric heater in > bathroom, power vents in bath and kitchen, indirectlighting and > miniature spots throughout, 3 station intercom system,central vacuum > (new motor), double-cartridge water purifier underkitchen sink, HWH > leveling jacks, roof storage pod, spot light, airhorns, new > batteries, new front tires, spare tire, plus 3 vinyl wheelcovers and > an entire coach cover.Does this sound like a Bird that would be worth > driving 18 hours(round trip) to see? What questions could I ask the > current ownerprior to committing to a viewing? While I'm handy and a > quick learner,I have no experience whatsoever with mechanics. I'd > hate to buy aperfectly good Bird and then ruin it. Also, I'd be > living in this busfull-time for a year and then possibly selling it. > Does this soundlike a Bird that is likely to cost me an arm and a leg > in repairsduring that time?He sent some pictures, but they don't > really tell me that much, otherthan to confirm that the '70's was > seriously lacking in decoratingtaste. :-D He's asking 29,500$. NADA > puts the high-end value at 10,000$. Which iscloser to reality? Anyone > know someone in the Windsor area (including Detroit, Michigan)whom I > could reasonably trust to perform a mechanical inspection onthis Bird? > Any help would be greatly appreciated!Cheers,Rae > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Make every e-mail and IM count. Join the i'm Initiative from > Microsoft. > > http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Join/Def...ce=EML_WL_ > MakeCount > > > |
|||
06-01-2008, 02:20
Post: #5
|
|||
|
|||
1979 FC-35
It seems to me that at age 25 and older it is all about what has and hasn't
already been replaced. This example had much of the heavy lifting restoration work done but was still on the market a long time and evidently sold for less than they are asking for the one you are looking at. http://tinyurl.com/59y6kr Steve Wannabee |
|||
06-01-2008, 05:00
Post: #6
|
|||
|
|||
1979 FC-35
Hay,uniformed, I resemble that!!!! If you want to talk about FC's
give me a call 717 532 5545. Don't know a lot but I do have a pretty good grip on prices (I think) and I can tell you a little about what to look out for. John Heckman central Pa 1973 FC > > I believe there are plenty of pre-'87 owners here who do not consider > themselves "uninformed". . > > Rae-the old coaches can be great. I had an 82 FC before my current > coach and really enjoyed it. > > Scott Forman > 86 PT38 > Memphis > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "michaelhohnstein" > <MHOHNSTEIN@> wrote: > > > > There is an abundance of inventory on the market. The advantage > of > > FCs over the PTs are cheaper up front investment and some what > > simpler systems access. > > In this economic environment I don't recommend anything less than > an > > 87 or newer Wanderlodge. The older stuff is reserved for those who > > are uninformed or able to do ALL thier own work. > > The book price is about right for the 79 you are looking at. > > MH > > > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, brad barton <bbartonwx@> > > wrote: > > > > > > Rae, > > > If you plan to do any driving through mountains, you would > probably > > prefer the 3208 Turbo with 250hp for going up hills. I would > suggest > > going to Vintage Birds, Bird Connection, Trader online and any > other > > site that would have multiple interior pictures to get a better > feel > > for the layout and features of coach before such a drive. If you > do > > make the drive, I would suggest you look carefully for rust outside > > (and under the coach) water leaks inside around windows and the > > ceiling (sniff for a moldy or musty smell around the upper corners > of > > the ceiling, below the windows, near the booth dinette and in the > > bedroom) and have an oil analysis done. If you're pretty handy > with > > electrical, plumbing, hvac and general mechanics, it could be just > > right for you. As for price, there's no real guidance for a coach > > that age other than condition. > > > Good luck. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@ > > > > > > > > > To: WanderlodgeForum@: raven.polaris@: Sun, 1 Jun 2008 > > 03:13:35 +0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 1979 FC-35 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello!Hello!Am I glad I was referred to you.... Until two days > ago, > > I wouldn'thave given a Bird a second look and now that's all I want > > (I blame thecockpit). Being in Canada and not wanting to go through > > the hassle ofimporting from the US, I expected to search for my > Bird > > for a longtime. Then, I found a 1979 Wanderlodge located in > Windsor, > > Ontario.The owner sent me the following specs:1979 Blue Bird FC- 35 > > Wanderlodge motorhome with 210 hp Cat 3208diesel, 4-speed Allison > > automatic transmission, King cruise control,Telma electromagnetic > > drive-line retarder, 12.5 kw diesel generator.EXTERIOR: brown over > > cream base, 20 ft. Zip Dee curb-side awning,street-side window > > awnings for living room and bedroom, 2 dockinglights per side. > > INTERIOR: dark wood-grain laminate cabinetry, creamquilted vinyl > > ceiling and walls, light oak laminate flooring, allfurniture re- > > upholstered, new curtains and mini-blinds. LIVING ROOM:twin fabric > > sleeper sofas, overhead storage cabinets, storage cabinetsadjacent > to > > sofas, half high closet/pantry/TV stand with hook-ups forantenna > and > > cable TV. BATHROOM: private side bath with cultured > marblesink/vanity > > top, Thetford Aqua-Magic toilet, fibreglas shower stall,linoleum > > floor. KITCHEN: laminate countertop and stove cover,stainless steel > > double sink with separate drinking water spigot, foodcenter, > Dometic > > 2-door 110V/propane automatic refrigerator withwood-grain door > > panels, 110V ice maker, 4 burner propane cook-top andoven, > microwave > > oven, half-height slide-out can pantry, cushioneddinette booth. > > BEDROOM: rear side bed (street-side), vanity, stool,and drawers > (curb > > side), carpeting, overhead storage cabinets (sides &rear), under- > bed > > storage drawer, TV connection, accordion privacydoor, 2 full- length > > closets, 1 half-length closet. GENERAL: this coachhas most Blue > Bird > > options â 3 roof A/C's, 3 propane furnaces, 110Velectric heater in > > bathroom, power vents in bath and kitchen, indirectlighting and > > miniature spots throughout, 3 station intercom system,central > vacuum > > (new motor), double-cartridge water purifier underkitchen sink, HWH > > leveling jacks, roof storage pod, spot light, airhorns, new > > batteries, new front tires, spare tire, plus 3 vinyl wheelcovers > and > > an entire coach cover.Does this sound like a Bird that would be > worth > > driving 18 hours(round trip) to see? What questions could I ask the > > current ownerprior to committing to a viewing? While I'm handy and > a > > quick learner,I have no experience whatsoever with mechanics. I'd > > hate to buy aperfectly good Bird and then ruin it. Also, I'd be > > living in this busfull-time for a year and then possibly selling > it. > > Does this soundlike a Bird that is likely to cost me an arm and a > leg > > in repairsduring that time?He sent some pictures, but they don't > > really tell me that much, otherthan to confirm that the '70's was > > seriously lacking in decoratingtaste. :-D He's asking 29,500$. NADA > > puts the high-end value at 10,000$. Which iscloser to reality? > Anyone > > know someone in the Windsor area (including Detroit, Michigan) whom > I > > could reasonably trust to perform a mechanical inspection onthis > Bird? > > Any help would be greatly appreciated!Cheers,Rae > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > > Make every e-mail and IM count. Join the i'm Initiative from > > Microsoft. > > > http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Join/Default.aspx? source=EML_WL_ > > MakeCount > > > > > > |
|||
06-02-2008, 09:30
Post: #7
|
|||
|
|||
1979 FC-35
I just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my query. All your
input has helped me decide that this bus wasn't right for me (or, rather, that I'm not right for this bus). It looks like I won't be going with Wanderlodge this time around, but I plan for it to be my full-timing vehicle when I retire. Cheers, Rae |
|||
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »
|
User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)